Prometheus did notably better in its midnight performance than several recent event pics.

Last weekend, Universal's Snow White and the Huntsman -- also starring Theron alongside Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth -- grossed $1.4 million in midnight runs on its way to a $56.2 million weekend. And two weeks ago, Sony's Men in Black 3 took in $1.6 million in midnight grosses.

Box office observers are divided as to how much Prometheus will open to at the domestic box office, with estimates ranging from $35 million to north of $55 million. The highly anticipated tentpole does have the advantage of playing in 3D -- meaning higher ticket prices -- as well as playing in IMAX theaters.